At this women's college the students range from age eighteen to twenty-two and ask such questions as: "What major should I choose? Will I find the right job? What should I do with the rest of my life? How can I balance family and work? How can I manage my time better? Will I survive exam week? Will I ever get married?" They sound like typical college students questioning the future, and they are, except that they are studying thousands of miles away in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Effat College's mission is to provide higher education to women in keeping with the Islamic traditions and the values of Saudi society. In 1999 Effat opened its doors, becoming the first private, self-financing women's university in Saudi Arabia. It is now one of three private colleges in the Kingdom. There are also seven government universities that have women's sections.

The name for the college comes from Her Royal Highness Queen Effat, who founded the first school for girls in Saudi Arabia in 1955 and encouraged higher education for women. Asked why education is important for women in Saudi Arabia, the administrators at Effat College respond matter-of-factly: "Educated citizens are better prepared to make positive contributions to their families, their jobs, and the society." Instead of differences in the Saudi students and the type of curriculum they study, there are striking similarities between a typical American university and Effat College.

Effat offers a choice of five majors: computer science, information systems, early childhood education, educational psychology, and linguistics and translation. The five majors were chosen by the College's founding committee based on a feasibility study to determine the majors most needed in the society and the sectors offering the greatest career opportunities for women. Computer science is one of the most competitive fields in Saudi Arabia. Women graduates, as well as male graduates, are sought after by employers.

All courses at Effat College are taught in English. In addition to taking courses for their majors, students must fulfill a comprehensive general education requirement which includes coursework in mathematics, history, the sciences, and physical education. Students must also take four major English courses that teach academic writing, communication, and rhetoric. Finally, the gen ed curriculum requires two Arabic courses and four Islamic studies courses to "help students relate Islamic perspectives to the issues they are dealing with in their daily lives and in the world around them."

Effat College's mission is to provide education for the whole person. They believe that a "healthy body makes for a healthy mind" and both students and faculty alike take advantage of the College's physical fitness facilities, which include a large athletic center and an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.

There are special campus learning centers equipped with the latest technology that focus on endowing students with communication, presentation, and leadership skills, as well as helping students with their career preparation. The College works to prepare students to be good citizens as well as well trained professionals. Service learning and active learning are utilized by faculty to these ends. Kerry Lauer, an administrator at Effat College, says, "While academic achievement is important, we also want our students to be well-rounded citizens. We encourage involvement in student clubs…we also stress the importance of service and provide opportunities both within and outside the curriculum for students to go out into the community."

For more information visit www.effatcollege.edu.sa.